first, let me just say a thank you to our leader, nancy pelosi, for her hard work on behalf of american families. i mentioned this at an event last night, she has a singular focus and american families are at the top of her agenda. and i also want to say thank you to my colleagues who are here today as well and especially to george miller. he highlighted this issue on the select committee on children, youth and families and started the discussion of family economic policies in 1984. and to the men and women who are sharing their stories this morning, we thank you so much for being willing to speak up on how this legislation has affected your lives. and again, can't go without talking about the national partnership and judy and it was president clinton who said -- judy was a national treasure and inzeed she is. so here, here. [applause] >> since the family and medical leave act passed in 1993, workers have used up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave that it provides over 100 million times to care for new born children, care for sick family members. nine out of 10 covered employers have said it i